Goa's Special Status Sabotage

For the last so many months and years, many Goans have been calling for
Special Status to preserve Goa's Prized Identity. This was even promised by
Sonia Gandhi when she was in Goa campaigning for the Goa Lok Sabha seats.
But some how I feel that Central Government with their Local Party leaders
in Goa, have deceitfully re-worded this to say "Special Status as a
Financial Package"? What is the point of getting Financial Special
Status for Goans if Goans lose Goa? It was the Congress Party which gave the
orders to annex Goa without Goan Views, and at that time promised that Goa's
Identity would be preserved within India. Now this party is doing the very
opposite and conveniently ignoring the true calls for Special Status of
preserving Goa's Identity. Recently I read an article in the media that
Goans are fully Intergrated into India; I agree only from the point of
excessive corruption, destructive development, degradation of the
environment, pollution of land/water, looting of the state's resources by
Central Politicians and their local Corrupt Political Goan Agents, reduction
of the Goan Demographics to a non-goan populace etc In view of all the
latter, I wonder if susegad Goans (Goa and Overseas) have realised, that
they been cheated of their land, resources and its Identity for so many
years and if nothing is done now then all these will be gone forever!!

Arwin Mesquita, UAE

Goan Strongmen Doomed (And so are their supporters)

The Key to Saving Goa is to get rid of powerful Anti-Goan Politicians who currently project themselves as strongmen, in their respective areas of Small Goa. These highly corrupt MLA's are desperately trying to influence voters with Rice, Alcohol, Paying of amenities, Water Tanks, Cash incentives to vote banks, Pilgrimage Trains, publicity events in Kuwait, Dubai, Goa etc. The source of funds to influence voters is known to be from excessive corruption, sale of Goa, sale of Goan jobs, destruction/illegal mining, mega housing projects not favoring Goans and other forms for destructive development. Current weak laws allow these MLA's (most of who have criminal/corruption cases against them) to continue in power. However, with the winds of change now blowing across India on anti-corruption, I advise these Political Strongmen to be careful on what's coming to them next? Perhaps if they are smart they will quit politics now, before they face the full force of the people and the new Anti-Corruption laws which will be in place soon. Also when this time of these Strong Men is really up, I seriously doubt that their corrupt/ self centered/publicity seeking supporters in Kuwait, Dubai, Oman, Qatar, Goa etc will continue to be loyal to their corrupt & destructive masters, publicize themselves supporting the strongmen in print media/ photos or invite them for tiatrs, dances, football tournaments, religious functions etc. These so called supporters will go where ever the “sun shine’s” on them. And of course there will also be many corrupt supporters of the Current Goan Strongmen, who will face the full force/wrath or the anti-corruption wave!!

Charge Corrupt Political Supporters of Anti Goan Heavyweight Ministers

The winds of change are sweeping in India/Goa with the anti-corruption movement getting increasing momentum. Very soon, the known Corrupt Political Anti-Goan Heavyweight Ministers in Goa and their "priviliged" families, will soon be affected by this change in a very significant manner. But surely this cleansing will not only stop at the Political Heavyweights but will also go further and investigate/charge their corrupt political supporters, at various municipalities/panchayats who can be easily seen in various Press/Media Photos "Worshipping/Supporting their God Father". These Anti Goan Political supporters in the form of Sarpanchas, Panchas, Mayors etc are agents sponsored and put in at respective Municipalities/Panchayats, so as to ensure that their "Generous God Father" is able to loot and destroy Goa to the maximum. These corrupt Anti Goan Political supporters are in compliance with the Heavyweight Minister(s) in the decimation of Goa's Identity, SALE of Goa, catastropic destruction of the environment, reduction/contamination of water, pollution of land/water etc.

Arwin Mesquita, UAE

Rich Goa Looted

Many Goans are working hard making a decent living or are engaged in selling off Goa to outsiders, so as to maintain to maintain a standard of living for themselves and their families. Many others migrate in false belief that Goa does not have much richness or opportunities for themselves. The fact is Goa is actually very rich and Goans do not have to resort to all of the latter. The sad truth is that most of Goa's Natural Wealth e.g. Iron Ore is being excessively looted and its natural beauty is being destroyed for huge selfish gains by ageing corrupt politicians and their families. The Richness of Goa is only benefitting the very few, with most of them being long time politicians and their privileged political associates/backers. These Anti Goan Politicians who are known to have be associated with smuggling, high level corruption, drug peddling, prostitution, physical attacks, criminal records, illegal land conversions and sales to outsiders etc ensure that (1) First their families have been taken care of with the best money has to offer including flashy expensive cars, (2) Secondly take care of their few privileged supporters and then (3) Thirdly distribute "Crumbs" to ordinary Goans i.e. sponsorships, cash rewards, alcohol, paying amenities etc to buy off gullible voters. Why are Goans satisfied with these "Crumbs" when they can have a very good life in Goa without these “Crumbs” should Goa’s Richness be shared fairly amongst all Goans.
Goans who actually glorify these Looting Anti Goan Politicians in Goa and Overseas are either (A) fully bought off with illegitimate funds by their Political God Fathers or (B) perhaps are naive, ignorant and really stupid!!
What we need in Goa is a true revolution to get rid of all of the rogues; in order to safeguard our beautiful state for the benefit of all Goans.

Arwin Mesquita, UAE.

Grievance Goa Customs

To the Navhind Times, Goa


Dear Sir/Madam,

Please can you publish my letter in your esteemed newspaper


Sincerely,
Michael Fernandes.
[ADDRESS]

Subject: Grievance Goa Customs

REF: http://www.navhindtimes.in/opinion/letters-editor-323
This is with reference to letter "Inquiry into Public Grievance" dated 10th June 2011 by LILLIAN FERNANDES, Asst Commissioner of Customs, Vigilance Section, Panaji; which was in reponse to an earlier letter by Mr. Arwin Mesquita ‘Corrupt Goa Customs’ (NT, May 23). Please be informed that Arwin wrote this letter after I informed him of My Incident which happened on [DATE: ###], when I arrived from Dubai on Air India Flight Number [AI ##]. Arwin has also experienced the same in the past 2 years but does not have details, as it has been some time he has flown direct to Goa. May I also suggest that you publicly inform Overseas Goans respective email/phone details so as to contact your vigiliance office; should any similar unpleasant incidents occur at Goa Customs .

Michael Fernandes, Dubai.

Konkani Gone Global with Pride (International Amersfoort Jazz Festival - The Netherlands)

This is with reference to the recently held Konkani Rocks event by Heritage Jazz, at The International Amersfoort Jazz Festival in The Netherlands. I appreciate the all the hard work and efforts of Mr. Armando Gonsalves and his team, for taking Konkani to the Global Stage which is certainly a very big International boost for our mother tongue. No one can dispute the fact that Konkani is the core of our Goan Identity and it is high time for Goans, to give Konkani the respect that it truly deserves; not only in Goa but also at the Global Level. Just as other World Communities like the English, Spanish, Germans, French, Italians or the Indian Communities like the Gujaratis, Maharashtrians, Keralites, Punjabis, Tamils etc are proud of their mother tongues, so should Goans be proud of Konkani. I believe that with genuine Goa lovers instilling the pride and love for Konkani within Goans, particularly the younger generation, there will power surge for Goans (Local & Overseas) to rise over political, communal and other destructives challenges to preserve their Prized Land, Culture & Identity, which makes up that “Goan Magical Charm” admired by people the world over. Also it today’s increasingly Globalised World it’s is extremely important to “Be Global but Act Local” which means that we also have to make use of Globally accepted languages like English without at the same time Forsaking our Mother Tongue Konkani. We Goans certainly have treasure within us and it is high time that we shout our loud, proudly cherish the same and share it with the World Community!!
Arwin Mesquita, UAE

The Amazon and the Green Goa Context

Are Goans aware that the Amazon Rainforests provide 20% of the earth’s oxygen and 60% of its freshwater? Even worse, Are Goans aware that with current rate of de-forestation by a highly capitalistic human race, these rainforests will be gone within the next 40 years? Even if Goans are not aware of the latter, surely we should be aware of the severe consequences should the latter happen!! But then, if we are really aware of the detrimental consequences, why are we allowing the destruction of forests, greenery, hills etc. in our own beautiful state of Goa to satisfy the enormous greed the Rich Few i.e. Builders, Land Sharks, Real Estate agents and Corrupt Politicians. Why are we encouraging destructive industries, Government Projects and Multi Dwelling Mega Projects particularly in cases where we know that they are not in the interests of Goans at Large!! The sad truth is that the Anti-Goan Politicians have compromised Gullible Goans with Cash (mostly acquired via corrupt means), Favors (mostly illegal), paying of amenities, rice, sugar, water tanks, electronics, sponsorships and also threats/intimidation; so as to allow them a free hand, in continuing with the realization of their illegitimate incomes.

Also, so many Goans are involved in the Real Estate business which is way beyond, what Goa's environment can tolerate. Are these Real Estate people interested in selfish short term gains for themselves, which will only end up in Huge Long Term losses to Goa and Goans at large??